Machine and method for preparing and dispensing documents

ABSTRACT

A machine and method for preparing and dispensing documents relating to financial transactions. The machine contains a printer for printing the documents and, optionally, a bar code and/or a MICR reader mounted for movement with the print head of the printer for reading information from each document before/during printing. The machine includes a control unit (which includes a CPU, memories, and input/output devices), an input unit (which may be constituted by a keypad and/or an alphanumeric keyboard), and means for communicating with a remote supervisory location. Operation of the machine may be controlled from the remote supervisory location, which provides periodic authorization to continue to prepare and dispense documents in response to transaction reports, including matching of purchaser and/or beneficiary identification information with one or more lists of restricted customers, which are transmitted from the machine to the remote supervisory location.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/401,857, filedSep. 22, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. ______.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is directed to machines, methods, and systems forpreparing and dispensing documents, including those relating tofinancial transactions, such as money orders.

BACKGROUND

A variety of machines for dispensing documents are already in use. Thesemachines, however, possess a number of inherent limitations. Among theselimitations are the inability to be efficiently supervised andcontrolled from a location remote from the machine, the inability ofsuch machines to accept various forms of payment, limitations relatingto the nature and form of the data, text, and graphics that can beprinted, limitations relating to the security of the documents that arecontained within the machines, the inability, or limited ability, ofthese machines to comply with local, state, and federal regulations inconnection with the preparation and dispensing of financial documents,and the limited ability of these machines to monitor their ownoperation.

In addition, existing machines are generally capable of preparing only asingle type of document and may not be adapted to the preparation ofother types of documents. A need, therefore, exists for a stand-alone,self-contained document dispenser which is operative in compliance withregulatory and security guidelines and within a network of a pluralityof such dispensers, each of which is in communication with a centraladministrator at a remote, central location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views showing an embodiment of a machineaccording to the present invention in two optional configurations.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the interior of the machine ofFIGS. 1 and 2 with components removed to permit viewing of othercomponents.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view showing printer unit components of aprinter unit of the machine of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the components of the machine of FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 6 is a pictorial view of a document prepared by a machine accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a machine accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views showing an embodiment of a machineaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing portions of the interior of thedispenser shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

FIG. 10 shows an arrangement of a print head, a bar code reader, and aMICR scanner/reader according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a document that may be used in conjunctionwith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating the printing process according toone embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 13A and 13B provide flow charts for the processing and dispensingof documents according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating the communication process between amachine and a remote central location according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An object of the present invention is to open the possibility ofpreparing and dispensing documents, and in particular documents havingmonetary value, from any desired point-of-sale location, with a highdegree of security and in compliance with local, national, and/orinternational regulations.

Another object of the invention is to provide flexibility in the typesof documents that can be dispensed from a single machine.

A further object of the invention is to improve communications between amachine through which financial transactions are processed and a centrallocation remote from the machine, and in particular to allowtransmission, from the machine to the central location, of informationrelating to the financial transactions, and from the central location tothe machine of authorization instructions to continue, and/ortermination instructions to terminate, preparation and dispensing offinancial documents.

Still another object of the invention is to allow collection and/orinput of information into the machine through the use of a keyboard withfull sets of alpha and numeric characters.

Still another object of the invention is to allow such a machine to beconfigured to produce various types of documents.

Still another object of the invention is to allow the purchase of suchdocuments to be electronically debited to, for example, credit or debitaccounts by the use of credit, debit, or “smart” cards.

The above and other objects are achieved, according to the presentinvention, by the provision of a machine for preparing and dispensingdocuments relating to financial transactions, the machine comprising:

-   -   a stand-alone, self-contained document dispenser having a        housing;    -   a manually operable input unit for input of data and operating        commands, said input unit being external to and coupled through        said dispenser housing;    -   a document printer unit for printing readable information,        including a monetary value, on documents based on data inputted        at said input unit, wherein said document printer unit is        contained entirely within said dispenser housing and comprises:        -   a printer having a print head configured to move back and            forth along a guiding rod in a scanning path that is            transverse to the direction of advancement of the documents;            and        -   an optical reader for reading barcode information on said            documents, said optical reader being mounted so as to be            aligned with the print head and move along said rod with the            print head, wherein the print head prints a barcode on each            said document as it moves in one direction and, as it            returns along said rod in the opposite direction, the            optical reader reads the barcode just printed by the print            head, thereby verifying proper functioning of the printer            unit without advancing the document;    -   an internal control unit contained entirely within said        dispenser housing and directly electrically coupled to said        input unit and said printer unit for controlling operation of        said printer unit in response to data and commands inputted at        said input unit, wherein the control unit comprises a memory        means for receiving and storing data received from said input        unit and representing at least the monetary value of each        document; and    -   a communication interface for conducting communications with an        off-site central location remote from said dispenser and        operative to transmit the data stored in said memory means to        said central location, wherein the control unit is operative to        receive authorization instructions from the central location via        said interface.

Objects of the invention are further achieved by a machine for preparingand dispensing documents relating to financial transactions, the machinecomprising:

-   -   a stand-alone, self-contained document dispenser having a        housing;    -   a manually operable input unit for input of data and operating        commands, said input unit being external to and coupled through        said dispenser housing;    -   a document printer unit for printing readable information,        including a monetary value, on documents based on data inputted        at said input unit, wherein said document printer unit is        contained entirely within said dispenser housing and comprises:        -   a printer having a print head configured to move back and            forth along a guiding rod in a scanning path that is            transverse to the direction of advancement of the documents;            and        -   an Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) reader for            reading information on said documents, said MICR reader            being mounted so as to move along said guiding rod;    -   an internal control unit contained entirely within said        dispenser housing and directly electrically coupled to said        input unit and said printer unit for controlling operation of        said printer unit in response to data and commands inputted at        said input unit, wherein the control unit comprises a memory        means for receiving and storing data received from said input        unit and representing at least the monetary value of each        document; and    -   a communication interface for conducting communications with an        off-site central location remote from said dispenser and        operative to transmit the data stored in said memory means to        said central location, wherein the control unit is operative to        receive authorization instructions from the central location via        said interface.

Additional objects of the invention are achieved by a method forpreparing and dispensing documents relating to financial transactions,the method comprising:

-   -   providing a machine comprising a stand-alone, self-contained        document dispenser, said dispenser including a printer and an        internal control unit having a memory means for receiving and        storing data relating to each said transaction;    -   obtaining identification information relating to at least one of        a purchaser and a beneficiary of each document to be dispensed;    -   accessing at least one of a list of restricted purchasers and        restricted beneficiaries to determine whether there is a first        type of match between the purchaser's identification information        and the list of restricted purchasers or a second type of match        between the beneficiary's identification information and the        list of restricted beneficiaries;    -   when at least one of said matches is found, recording in said        memory means information about the at least one match that has        been found; and    -   determining whether to dispense said document based on a        predetermined set of parameters.

It is noted that, in the instant application, the term “money order” isused illustratively, and not by way of limitation, as an example of a“financial document”. Also, the terms “purchaser” and “buyer” may beused to refer to an entity (including one or more individuals) on whosebehalf the financial document is prepared, while the terms “payee” and“beneficiary” may be used to refer to an entity (including one or moreindividuals) for whose benefit the financial document is prepared, andthe term “customer” may be used to refer generally to a purchaser and/ora beneficiary.

In addition, the term “transaction” is defined as the combined,sequential purchase of financial documents, e.g., money orders, added upto the total face value thereof, plus any applicable fees. In otherwords, where a plurality of money orders are printed for the samecustomer, at the same time (i.e., sequentially), the plurality of moneyorders together constitute a single transaction, and the sum of the facevalue of each of the plurality of money orders, added to applicablefees, if any, constitutes the “transaction amount”. It follows that,when a single money order is involved, the single money orderconstitutes the “transaction” and the “transaction amount” is the facevalue of the money order, plus any applicable fees.

Similarly, “multiple transactions” are transactions performed on thesame day by/for the same customer (as determined by a customer namematch) at all locations within a network of document dispensers that arein communication with a single off-site, central location, or centraladministrator (e.g., the “headquarters”). Moreover, “structuredtransactions” may be defined as transactions performed by/for the samecustomer at all locations from which headquarters gathers data over acertain period of time, as determined by a customer name match.

With the above in mind, FIGS. 1 and 2 present perspective views showingtwo configurations of an embodiment of a machine according to thepresent invention. The machine is composed essentially of a documentdispenser and any external devices that may be connected thereto. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the machine comprises three modules:(1) a manually operable input unit, or data entry module, 2; (2) aprinter unit, or module; and (3) a terminal control unit, or module,wherein the printer and terminal control modules are both housed in acase, or housing, 4 of the dispenser.

Case 4 may be made of metal and is composed of a bottom plate, or base6, two side panels 8 that are fixed to base 6, a rear panel (not visiblein FIGS. 1 and 2, but shown as element 34 in FIG. 3), a rear door 10hinged to the upper edge of the rear panel and a front door 12 having alower edge that is hinged to the front edge of base 6. Door 12 isprovided with a dispensing slot 14 for delivery of prepared documents.In an alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the dispenser maycomprise a single door 300 (see FIG. 8A) that is hinged at the back ofthe dispenser to the upper edge 335 of the rear panel 334 and that, whenclosed, covers the entirety of the dispenser, including the front,leaving exposed a dispensing slot 314 for delivery of prepareddocuments.

Input unit 2 may be mounted on the upper surface of lid 12, as shown inFIG. 1, or may be placed on a table or counter, alongside case 4, asshown in FIGS. 2, 8A, and 8B. The base of input unit 2 is formed toallow unit 2 to rest on a counter or table top, as shown in FIG. 2, andis also configured, in cooperation with the upper surface of door 12, tobe mounted securely, but removably, as with screws or bolts, on thatupper surface.

For either mounting arrangement, input unit 2 is connected to thecontrol unit by a suitable cable 18 connected at one end to a connectormounted on the rear surface of unit 2 and at the other end to aconnector (e.g., a port, interface etc.) on the back of case 4.

Door 10 can be opened to gain access to a document storage receptacleforming part of the printer unit and door 12 can be opened to gainaccess to a printer forming part of the printer unit, including accessto the print head, as well as to permit clearing of any paper jams thatmay occur between the printer and slot 14. Preferably, case 4 isprovided with a key operated lock 20 which locks at least door 10 in itsclosed position. The lock may also, optionally, be configured to lockdoor 12 in the closed position.

In the alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, access to thedocument storage receptacle, the printer, and the print head may begained through the single door 300. In addition, a door (or cover) keyoperated lock 320 may be utilized to secure the door 300 in the closedposition. In addition, turning the lock 320 to an open position placesthe dispenser in a “privileged” mode in which the user (or operator) isable to load new documents, configure machine functions, close out theday, etc.

Input unit 2 may be, essentially, a keypad having an array of manuallyoperable keys 24, a LCD display 26, preferably with LED backlighting,and, in embodiments of the invention, a data reader 30 capable ofreading data stored in smart cards or on magnetic stripes of debit orcredit cards. Preferably, display 26 contains a high contrast, highviewing angle LCD display with a format of two lines of 20 alphanumericcharacters each, including the capability of displaying three specialcurrency characters.

Keys 24 may be constituted, for example, of a 5×5 matrix of full travelalphanumeric keys of the type provided on a push button telephonehandset, in addition to a double width double zero key and operatingcommand keys. The operating command keys may include, for example, keysthat perform the following functions:

Clear—clears the previous input that appears on the display;Escape—stops the present procedure and returns to the previous step;Credit Card—indicates that the transaction is being conducted with acredit-card; Report—prints a report; Debit Card—indicates that thetransaction is being conducted with a debit card; Void—voids a moneyorder or other transaction; Bill Pymt—indicates that a bill payment isbeing made; No Fee—indicates that no fee is being charged for thecurrent transaction; Next—scrolls to the next option within the currentactivity; Print—prints the current document; Alpha—switches the numerickeys to alphabetic keys; Enter—enters the operator input, if any, andscrolls to the next action; 00—inputs a double zero.

Unit 2 may be provided with an optional on/off key switch whose positionwill be sensed by the control unit to cause operation to enter anexecutive mode, which will be described in greater detail below. Unit 2also contains its own controller printed circuit board provided with aCPU and a memory connected to operate the devices of unit 2 undercontrol of a main CPU in terminal control unit 40 (FIG. 3).

In an alternative embodiment, the manually-operable input unit may beconstituted by an alpha-numeric keyboard 325, such as, e.g., a personalcomputer keyboard. As shown in FIG. 8B, the keyboard 325 is connected tothe control unit via a separate cable 329, and may have its own display327. The keyboard 325 may be used either in conjunction with, or inplace of, the keypad mentioned above. Thus, even though FIG. 8B showsthe dispenser connected to both a keypad and a keyboard, in embodimentsof the invention, the input unit 2 for inputting of data,purchaser/payee information, etc. may be constituted exclusively by thekeyboard 325. As will be explained in further detail below, inalternative embodiments, such information may also be entered through aPoint of Sale (POS) or other device that may be connected to thedispenser.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the machine of FIGS. 1and 2 in a partially disassembled state. Specifically, one side panel 8has been moved away from its assembled position and doors 10 and 12 areopened. Therefore, in this view, rear wall 34 of case 4 is visible.

Installed in the lower part of case 4 is the control unit 40 which isconstructed in the manner currently used for personal computers toinclude a motherboard 42, a central processing unit (CPU) containing amicroprocessor, a power supply 44, volatile and non-volatile memories46, preferably including a non-volatile flash memory whose contents canbe altered from a remote supervisory location via a telephone link,Ethernet (network) interface, or other means of communication, and aplurality of cards 48 selected to perform various functions, includingcommunications with the other modules of the machine and with a remotelylocated central location, e.g., with the computer system of a centraladministrator that is located at a central location and administers andcommunicates with one or more machines located at one or more separatelocations remote from the central location.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the central processingunit should be at least at the 486 level with a 33 MHz clock, running aversion of DOS 6.22. Motherboard 42 carries at least a main memoryhaving a minimum of 4 Mb of Fast Page RAM, with a minimum expansioncapability for an additional 32 Mb of memory. The system clock is areal-time clock which is processor controlled and provided with abattery back-up. Motherboard 42 further carries a non-volatile secondarymemory having a minimum capacity of 8 Mb. A terminal program, reportinformation and translation logs reside in this memory. The system iscapable of being expanded to have at least 80 Mb of memory of this type.

Motherboard 42 further carries, on one or more of cards 48, or directlyon board 42, a group of interfaces including two serial ports on onecard, at least one parallel port and at least one standard PS/2 styleconnector and interface. One of the two serial ports is used tocommunicate with unit 2, while the other is used to control printer unit50, to be described below.

The parallel port is provided to communicate with an optional externallister printer. The PS/2 connector and interface are providedparticularly for optional connection to a standard personal computerkeyboard.

In one embodiment, cable 18 is hardwired to control unit 40 at aconnection point that is preferably located at the bottom of case 4 in arecessed area. This location helps to reduce the risk of tampering oraccidentally disconnecting various cables. A first connector panel (notvisible) at the rear of case 4 includes at least the followingcomponents: an AC input connector; an RJ 11 phone line jack; and an RJ11 phone jack (pass through). A further connector panel 43 carries thePC keyboard plug (PS/2 type) and possibly other connectors.

FIG. 9 shows a rear connector panel 334 of the dispenser according toone embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the panel mayinclude one or more of the following:

-   -   (1) A port 391 for connecting to a keypad or keyboard including        a display;    -   (2) A port 392 for keyboard connection;    -   (3) Two USB ports 393, which may connect to a number of external        devices, such as, for example, an external Magnetic Ink        Character Recognition (MICR) scanner for hand-feeding and        scanning of cashed checks, an external printer (e.g., dot        matrix, laser, inkjet, thermal, etc.), an external        communications device, a keyboard/display combination (such as,        e.g., the embodiment of FIG. 8B, where the keyboard 325 has an        integrated display 327, such that this port can be used to print        to the keyboard display), or an external optical scanner (e.g.,        to scan a check, a customer's identification document,        etc.)—this port may also be used to connect to a cash register,        or any other device that requires interaction with the machine;    -   (4) A modem port 394 for a phone line communication connection        to, e.g., the central administrator/location;    -   (5) An Ethernet network port 395, which enables connection to a        computer network, as well as to a POS system for, e.g.,        dispensing money orders—through this port, the machine is able        to report sales, etc. through the computer network (instead of        dialing out, for example) and, by the same token, can be        controlled through the network;    -   (6) A serial port 396 which allows, generally, the same types of        connectivity as discussed above with respect to the USB ports        393—in addition, an external device may remotely control the        machine through this port, such as, e.g., a POS system through        which a user (or operator) may enter the transaction details,        followed by the POS system instructing the machine to print the        documents, etc.;    -   (7) A parallel port 397, which enables printing to a multitude        of printing devices, including, e.g., a dot matrix printer, a        laser printer, an inkjet printer, and a thermal printer; and    -   (8) A power plug 398 to connect, e.g., through a standard        computer power cable.

Referring back to FIG. 3, control unit 40 also includes an expansionarea that can accommodate a number of additional cards, a manual powercut off switch, and an internal modem. The switch is provided to allowmanual shut off of the entire machine and is normally left on unlesscontrol unit 40 is being serviced. The internal modem may be of the autoanswer/auto-dial type with a data transfer speed of at least 14,400 bitsper second over voice grade phone lines. Other types of connectivity,including, but not limited to, digital, cable, and/or wirelesscommunications may also be established.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the machine according to an embodimentof the invention. In this view, the machine is viewed from the top withdoors 10 and 12 open to allow the components of printer unit 50 to beviewed. The basic components are a document form storage receptacle, orpaper tray, 52, an ink jet printer which includes an essentially flatprinter platen 54, and a document form guide system including a guideplate 56 for guiding each one of a plurality of document forms insuccession from receptacle 52 to platen 54; receptacle 52 is providedwith tail-lifting tabs which raise the back end of the stack of documentforms to facilitate manual removal of those forms if necessary.

FIG. 4 further illustrates that, in this embodiment, the machine isequipped with door open sensors 58. These sensors 58 can bemicroswitches that are coupled to control unit 40 to halt operation ofthe machine if door 10 should be opened.

In printer unit 50, paper is transported along a single paper path by aunidirectional friction drive preferably composed of a single set ofrollers, including an idle roller 57 (FIG. 3) and a drive roller 59(FIG. 4), both of which are located above the document forms as they arefed to the print head. In the preferred form of drive, paper does nottravel over the wheels or rollers and there is a minimal risk of paperjams.

Provision is made for a transport inhibit function which opposes falseadvance of document forms through the printer. The transport will feedthe document forms at a rate of at least 4 inches per second and isconstructed to handle documents having a width of up to 6 inches,although other configurations are also possible.

Preferably, the document forms are fed in cooperation with printeroperation to perform printing with a line pitch of 6 lines per inch overa print zone having a width of the order of 4.5 inches. A paper advancebutton 53 is also provided inside case 4. Both a form feed and a linefeed mode can be available.

Printer platen 54 forms part of the printer of printer unit 50. Theprinter includes, as is visible in FIG. 3, a print head 62 carried by acarriage 64. Carriage 64 is movable along a support (or guiding) rod 66in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of documentforms through the printer.

Carriage 64 is driven by a conventional mechanism and print head 62 isconstructed according to principles well-known in the art. Indeed, theprinter can be constituted by a commercially available ink jet printerwhich is constructed, or can be adapted to be mounted in printer unit50, although, as will be discussed below, modifications may be made tothe printer unit to achieve the objectives of the present invention.

In one embodiment of the invention, prior to being loaded into tray 52,each document form is preprinted with a bar code 82, as shown in FIG. 6,that contains a sequence number uniquely identifying that document form,e.g., money order. In a stack introduced into receptacle 52, successiveforms will have successive sequence numbers. Each form 70 will furtherbe provided with a conventional “top of form” mark which is formed ofoptical black ink having a specific reflectivity and position. This markis located on the back of each document 70, 70′, etc. and is thereforeriot visible in FIG. 6.

According to a particular feature of an embodiment of the invention,print head 62 may carry a bar code reader (e.g., an optical reader) 63,which may also be of a conventional type, for reading a bar code whichwas preprinted on each document form or which is printed in printer unit50. Thus, bar code reader 63 can serve as a verifier of a bar code whichhas been pre-printed, or is being printed on the document form while thelatter is being processed within the dispenser.

One advantage of an ink jet printer is that it includes a carriage thatmust of necessity traverse a printing region transverse to the documentform feed direction and that can thus displace a bar code reader along apath suitable for reading a bar code. In this regard, in the embodimentshown in FIG. 3, printing is effected while carriage 64 is displaced inone direction along rod 66, and a reading function is performed with barcode reader 63 during the return movement of carriage 64.

As will be discussed further below, this configuration allows forverification of the printer's functionality where the reader 63 ismounted so as to be aligned with, rather than laterally offset from, theprint head 62 and move along rod 66 with the print head. In this way,the print head prints a barcode on the document as it moves in onedirection and, as it returns along rod 66 in the opposite direction, thereader 63 reads the barcode just printed by the print head, therebyverifying proper functioning of the printer unit without advancing thedocument.

In an alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 10, an inkwell 361 and printhead 362 move along a guiding rod 366, as described in connection withthe above embodiment. Here, however, the print head 362 may includeeither a bar code reader 363, a MICR reader 365, or both. In addition,as shown in FIG. 10, either reader, or both, may be mounted so as to bealigned with the print head 362. Where included, the MICR reader is usedto read information or indicia from the financial document to ensuresequential processing of documents, e.g., to ensure that the serialnumber of successive money orders is in sequence. In addition, either orboth of the bar code reader 363 and MICR reader 365 may be included inthe machine, with the capability to turn each one off.

In a mode of operation according to an embodiment of the invention, eachsweep of carriage 64 along rod 66 occurs in approximately 350milliseconds to produce one line of standard print, or one-quarter of acustom print line.

The printer can be further associated with a tear bar that will separatetwo contiguous document forms along a clean sharp edge.

Printer unit 50 further includes a variety of sensors which can beconstructed and arranged in a manner known in the art. These include atop-of-form sensor, an out-of-paper sensor, the rear door sensors 58that were already described above, and a similar front door sensor (notshown, except for sensors 58).

The top-of-form sensor is an optical sensor that will be focused on areserved area of each document form which is provided with a top-of-formmark. This sensor will be connected to control unit 40 to assist inachieving form alignment and determination of the presence of animprinted document form.

The out-of-paper sensor is located in receptacle 52 and provides anindication of an “out-of-paper” status when there are no more documentforms in receptacle 52. In addition, sensors 58 provide an indicationwhen door 10 is opened and the print head access sensor provides acorresponding indication when door 12 is open.

Print head 62 may be constituted by virtually any commercially availableink jet print head. By way of example, it is presently contemplated toemploy a HP® thermal ink jet head, such as a head sold under the modeldesignation 626A. The optical bar code reader may also be of acommercially available type and is mounted on carriage 64 close to head62.

Printer unit 50 further includes a printer controller of a conventionaltype having stand-alone intelligence and including a CPU that controlsreal-time printer functions, including sensing the positions of doors 10and 12. The printer controller may communicate with the main CPU ofcontrol unit 40 using a RS-232 C interface, hardware handshaking, and asuitable protocol. The program for directing operation of the printercontroller will be loaded on an associated flash memory card.

The printer controller may support two or more font sets. Preferably, afirst font set includes a complete ASCII character set with at leastthree international currency symbols. The printer controller must becapable of printing this font set either right side up or upside down. Asecond desired font set is a custom font having, at the least, numerals,special currency symbols, a custom trademark symbol, and a special barcode verify symbol. The characters of the second font set preferablyhave a height which is four times that of the first font. The charactersof the first font set can be printed during one pass of print head 62,while printing of characters of the second set requires 4 passes.Characters of the second font set need be printed only upside down.

Printer unit 50 further includes a rocker switch via which an agent whois responsible for the machine can control power to the machine. Thisswitch controls a sleep mode only and its operation is superseded by aninternal power cut-off switch in control unit 40.

Printer unit 50 will normally print with ordinary ink, preferablythermal ink. However, it would also be possible to utilize magnetic ink,which is available for use in ink jet print heads. This would open thepossibility of producing financial documents that require charactersprinted in magnetic ink, starting from totally blank document forms. Itwould then be possible, by providing suitable software, that can bedownloaded to a flash memory in control unit 40 via a telephone link (orother means of communication mentioned above), to generate and dispensedifferent types of documents from the same blank document supply. Thiswill also allow a complete image of the resulting document to be storedelectronically. In addition, an ink jet printer will produce aconsistent printed product and this will facilitate distinguishingauthentic documents from counterfeit documents.

Printer unit 50 further has a separate power supply connection via whichpower is normally supplied from a power outlet. However, it isconceivable that printer unit 50 could be connected to some othercontrol device, in which case use would be made of an external poweradapter.

As noted above, input unit 2 includes a separate case, or housing, thebottom of which is equipped for mounting unit 2 either on a counter topor on the top surface of door 12. In addition, the input unit 2 mayinclude an optional on/off key-operated switch. The on/off state of theswitch is detected by an appropriate sensor which is connected tocontrol unit 40 to determine whether operation is to be performed in theexecutive mode. Reader 30, mounted in the case of unit 2 may be anysuitable, commercially available, card reader capable of reading credit,debit, or “smart” cards. One type of reader that may be used ismanufactured by American Magnetics under model designation 171/121.

FIG. 5 is a pictorial diagram illustrating various essential componentsof units 2, 40, and 50. All of the elements shown in FIG. 5 have alreadybeen described above or are identified by suitable legends.

FIG. 6 is a pictorial view of one type of document which can begenerated according to the present invention. The document in questionis a money order 70 that will be generated starting from a money orderform. Initially, a strip of such forms will be introduced intoreceptacle 52 with successive forms being attached together at tear-offlines 72. The paper will be pre-cut to permit each completed document tobe separated, after passing through printer unit 50, from the remainingdocument forms.

In one embodiment, each document form consists of two parts: a receipt74 and a portion 76 that will constitute the actual money order.Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 6, part 76 may consist of themoney order and a stub connected to the money order along a line 78,which is partially pre-cut to permit the money order to be separatedfrom the stub. In addition, the money order is separated from receipt 74along a further line 80 that is also pre-cut. When each document formconsists of only two parts 74, 76, the various lines will be pre-cut toallow the paper to be torn more easily along line 72 than along line 80.If each form is also pre-cut along line 78, this will be done in such amanner as to allow the paper to be torn along line 78 more easily thanalong line 80 but less easily than along line 72.

Bar code 82 may be, for example, based on the Code 39 bar code systemand consists of at least four sections. The bar code will contain amoney order sequence number and one or more check digits for permittingerror detection and possibly correction, during bar code reading. Barcode 82 will be associated with a human readable money order sequencenumber.

When a document form is fed through printer unit 50, the alignment markis first detected and bar code 82 is read with the aid of bar codereader 63 mounted on carriage 64. The information read by bar codereader 63 is transmitted to control unit 40, where the money ordersequence number will be compared with that of the money order that waspreviously prepared and dispensed to ensure that there is no break inthe money order sequence numbering.

As document form 70 is conveyed through printer unit 50, in thetransport direction illustrated in FIG. 6, a receipt text 84, which isone line high, is printed on receipt portion 74. Then, on the moneyorder document 76, there are printed, in succession, a money text and amoney order amount 86, each of which is one line high, and the moneyamount 88, including a suitable currency symbol. Money amount 88 ispreferably printed in the special custom font having a height of severallines, for example four lines. There may then also be printed, either onthe money order document or on the stub, if this is provided, a furtherbar code 90 that contains the associated document sequence number and,optionally, the money order amount.

Bar code 90 will be read by bar code reader 63 as the resulting documentexits from the machine. As described previously, this reading operationwill permit verification that the machine software has correctlydetermined the money order sequence number of the particular form 70 andthat printer unit 50 has performed a printing operation (e.g., thatthere is sufficient ink in the inkwell); otherwise, bar code 90 wouldnot appear or would be insufficiently dark to be read by bar code reader63. The money order sequence number contained in bar code 90 may then becompared with the bar code number 82 of the next form 70′ to verify thatthere has been no break in the money order sequence numbers. After barcode 90, it is also possible to print a message text 92 and a stub text94, each of which has a height of one line.

Preferably, bar code 82 is located relative to adjacent tear-off line 72so that when a completed document has been dispensed by being torn offalong an associated line 72, the bar code 82 of the following documentform will be in line with the reading field of bar code reader 63.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the document form 370 includes areceipt portion 374 and a document portion 376, wherein the latter mayinclude a pre-printed barcode 382. In embodiments where the printer unitincludes a bar code reader, the machine operates as described above inusing the reader to gather sequence number and other related informationfrom the bar code 382 and to communicate such information to the controlunit to ensure correct sequencing. However, in embodiments where a MICRreader 365 is used (either alone, or in conjunction with a bar codereader), information relating to the document is gathered by the MICRreader by reading the money order routing transit number 383 a, themoney order number 383 b, the check digit number 383 c, and the specialcode 383 d, and then processing the information in association with thecontrol unit.

The operation of a machine according to the invention may be controlled,or at least supervised, from a remote location which receives reportsfrom the machine, e.g., via a telephone connection, or other means ofcommunication mentioned above, on a periodic basis, and issuesauthorization instructions to allow the machine to continue dispensingdocuments. Such communications may be established at regular intervals,e.g., approximately once every 24 hours, and/or at the same time everyday, etc., and may be manually initiated or scheduled to startautomatically.

Typically, the remote location will be established to monitor andsupervise a number of these machines which are installed at differentpoint-of-sale (or retail) locations. A remote location which cancooperate with a machine according to the present invention can beconstituted by a personal computer which is suitably programmed toestablish communication with one or more machines, receive and displaydata from each of those machines, and transmit authorization and controlinstructions, including security and reconfiguration instructions, backto each machine.

The computer at the remote location may generally be staffed by a humanoperator to review the data received from each machine. Alternatively,the review process, or portions thereof, may be automated, such thatlittle or no human involvement may be necessary. In either case, if,upon review, that data does not reveal any adverse conditions, securityissues, or inappropriate operation of the machine, the latter willreceive an authorization command—either when the operator inputs anauthorization command via the computer keyboard and then transmits thatcommand to the individual machine, or (automatically) from the remotelocation computer. In this system, other commands can be transmittedfrom the remote location to a machine to modify the operation of themachine in a desired manner.

The operation of a machine according to one embodiment of the inventionwill now be described with reference to the operation, or programming,flowchart of FIG. 7 and with respect to a machine which is configured toissue money orders. However, the machine according to embodiments of theinvention can easily be programmed to issue other types of financialdocuments.

Unless otherwise specified, all of the operations described below areperformed under control of software provided in control unit 40.

When the machine is first placed in operation, a number of operationsare performed and conditions are detected in startup step 102 of FIG. 7.These include monitoring the states of the door sensor switches and of akey switch to determine whether operation is to be performed in anoperator mode or in a executive mode. All hardware, including theprinter controller, is initialized and a stored options file and logfile are read from flash memory in control unit 40. Essentially, theoperator mode is employed to generate and dispense money orders, whilethe executive mode is employed to perform supervisory and maintenancefunctions on the machine. Operation in either mode is performed by anindividual (operator) who is stationed at the machine and whocommunicates with the machine via input unit 2.

In some embodiments, the Machine may operate in a “slave” mode, wherethe functionality of the machine is not controlled through the inputunit 2 (e.g., a keypad or keyboard), but through an I/O port connectedto a remote device. When the machine operates in this mode, all of theinput/output occurs through one or more of the communications portsdescribed hereinabove, and data, including error messages, etc. arerelayed to the operator through the communications port rather thanthrough the keypad/keyboard displays.

Returning to FIG. 7, if the operator mode is selected, at step 104, theoperator is prompted to input a password, which is checked at step 106.If the correct password has been input, the system determines whetherany actions indicated in the options file, such as generating a report,are to be performed, and performs these actions. The operator can theninput a function command, which is detected at step 108. In the exampleillustrated, these commands can include generating a report in procedure110, establishing a telephone communication link in procedure 112,generating a money order in procedure 114, or voiding a transaction inprocedure 116.

Generation of a money order in procedure 114 will include the followingoperations. Firstly, in step 120, the operator will collect payment forthe money order which includes the face value of the money order and anyservice charges or fees and will input the amount of the money order andof the transaction fee. If a credit, debit, or smart card is beingemployed to pay for the money order, the operator will input the amountto be charged to the card account, the card will be inserted into thecard reader, and a telephone connection can be established in order toobtain authorization to charge the amount involved in the transaction tothe account represented by the card.

At this point, a number of conditions can be checked, including whetherthe requested money order amount exceeds a preset limit, whether themachine is currently authorized to issue further money orders, whetherthe previous transaction has been correctly closed, and whether there isa document form available in the machine. If the system is operatingproperly, a document form will be available in the printer unit in aposition such that bar codes 82, 382 can be read by bar code readers 63,363—alternatively, or in combination, a MICR reader may now read theMICR information. At this time, in step 122, bar codes 82, 382 (and/orthe MICR information) are read and the document sequence numberrepresented by that bar code (and/or MICR information) is compared withthe sequence number of the previous money order that was issued in orderto confirm that the correct document is in position to be printed.

At this time, the system can also check further conditions, such aswhether the bar code that has been read is associated with the firstdocument form of a pack of forms, whether a door has been opened andclosed, or power has been turned on or off since the issuance of theprevious document and whether there is any paper jam in the printer. Ifall conditions have been satisfied, printing of the money order canproceed. Upon completion of printing the money order, any problemsencountered within the machine during the transaction are also logged.

In procedure 112, the operator will contact the remote location in step150. After a telephone (or other) connection has been established, thetransaction log maintained in control unit 40 will be uploaded to theremote location in step 152 and any changes to be made to the machinewill then be downloaded from the remote location in step 154. Inaddition, the log maintained by control unit 40 is then updated toindicate that the log was uploaded.

When report procedure 110 is selected, the operator inputs the type ofreport, such as agent shift report, daily summary report, sales summary,options, etc, in step 130. In response, in step 132, the machine printsthe report and in step 134 the transaction log is updated to recordoccurrence of the report printing operation.

The agent shift report can include the following items of information:Agent ID; agent number; machine number; date and time of report; totaldue; total value of commission; total value of documents dispensed;total value of fees; total amount collected; total number of documentsdispensed; value of non fee documents dispensed; number of non feedocuments dispensed; value of fee documents dispensed; number of feedocuments dispensed; value of voids; number of voids; documents left;status serial, indicating on report whether each document is a void,no-fee, or void, no-fee document, and value of each document dispensed.

The daily summary report can include the same items of information,except that, in place of status serial and value of each documentdispensed, the report will include the time value status serial,indicating the specific time of transaction for each status serialdocument, and seller of each document dispensed.

In procedure 116 to void a transaction, the operator inputs the serialnumber and the cash value of the money order to be voided in step 140.If the amount inputted is correct for that money order number, then thelog is updated in step 142 to indicate that the money order in questionis void.

The executive mode, selected in step 160, allows the performance ofvarious functions which cannot be performed by the ordinary operator,these functions including changing the passwords and other options,loading a new supply of money order forms, etc. The executive mode canbe selected by inputting an executive key. One who is authorized toenter the executive mode will also have a key to open at least door 12(or, alternatively, door 300) for loading new money order forms and akey for turning the executive key switch on. If the system determinesthat door 12 is open, but that the executive key switch is not on, thesystem is set to operate in the low level executive mode. If theexecutive key switch is on, the system is set to operate in the highlevel executive mode. Otherwise, the system will switch into operatormode.

When switched into either executive mode, the system performs a routineto determine if any selected events are to occur and, if so, executesthose events.

Certain executive commands, or procedures, are only permitted in thehigh level executive mode. These are determined by options that arestored in the flash memory and can be changed by commands inputted inthe high level executive mode or commands downloaded from the remotecentral location.

If the machine is in the executive mode and the load blank money ordersprocedure 174 is selected, the machine interrogates the operator todetermine what is to be done with any blank forms that have not beenused. Then, in step 180, the operator inputs the serial numbers and thesize of the new stack of forms to be loaded and, in step 182, updatesthe transaction log with this information. At this time, in addition,bar code reader 63 associated with the printer can read the bar code onthe first form to verify that the sequence number information inputtedby the operator is correct.

In the phone out procedure 172, a telephone connection will beestablished with the remote location in step 190. After that connectionhas been established, the contents of the transaction log will beuploaded to the remote location in step 192 and any changes to be madeto the machine are downloaded in step 194. These changes can includeenabling or disabling agent pass codes, resetting current time and date,resetting a fee table, etc. Then, in step 196, the log is updated.

In report procedure 170, the following reports can be printed, as wellas others: A current daily report, a previous daily report, a documentlist, a machine set up report, a report deleting the oldest day, theoldest day being the earliest day for which data is currently stored,and a report of the current display version.

This is performed in step 200, in which it is also possible to set, byinputting via input unit 2, various report options, including selectionof the desired device to which reports are to be printed, to whichmessages are to be printed, and to which an audit trail is to beprinted. After all selections have been made, the selected report isprinted in step 202.

In procedure 176, a variety of options can be set or reset, based oninformation input by the agent via input unit 2 in step 204. Optionsthat can be modified in step 204 include: selection of which executivefunctions require an executive key; setting of agent timeout; enablingor disabling of a lockout period based on the inputting of a begin timeand an end time; calculate change options, such as change thecalculation required and change the key required to reset the display;communication options, including: comm. password; baud rate selection;modem dialing mode (tone or pulse); primary telephone number andsecondary telephone number; document options, such as whether or not toprint a stub, reset options, including resetting the document memory andresetting all of the memory; special function options, including machinenumber, which is the number assigned to each machine at a particularlocation, agent number and terminal serial number, which is assigned atthe time of manufacture; remote location, or host, communicationoptions, such as redial time, number of redial tries, response time andcommand time; and diagnostic options including whether to test the listprinter, and/or the main printer, and/or bar code reader 63; and/orcommunication components. After any desired option changes have beenmade, the file or files in which these options are stored are updated instep 206.

Maintenance procedure 178 includes, in step 208, performing any hardwarediagnostic operations that have been preselected as diagnostics options.

There are other options that can also be changed, but preferably onlyfrom the remote location via an established telephone link and/or othermeans of communication mentioned previously. These include setting ofthe commissions, or fees, that can be charged at the sale location, aswell as the following options:

-   -   Report options: Op. Daily to close; Auto-Dly Close Out;        Auto-Daily Time, Cumulative summary,    -   Communication options: Enable Communications,    -   Document Options: Maximum Doc. Amount; Maximum Pack Size; String        to print on stub,    -   Void Authority options: Void Authority (Any Untransmitted,        Current day); MaxAutomatic Void; Max Manual Void,    -   Security Values: Modify System Vars; Security Lock; MaxDays        without Poll; MaxItems Per Day; MaxAmount Per Day,    -   Currency: Which of the three currency symbols to use.    -   Set Up Report Options: Baud Rate; Flow Control; Control Line;        Timeout; End of Line; Select Rpt. Char/Inch; Lister Rpt.        Contents; Lister Rpt. Lines; Cir Acc After Sumry; Print Auto-Dly        Rpt; If Lister Time-out; Auto-Dly Rpt Copies; Close out Sunday .        . . . Saturday; Void on Report.

When a communication link is established, the operator at the remotelocation can also transmit instructions to change which executivefunctions require an executive key. However, this operation is notperformed exclusively under control of the remote location, but can alsobe performed by an individual authorized to operate the machine in theexecutive mode.

In addition to the above, the following options can be provided ifdesired:

-   -   Communication options: Mode; Password for Host; Modem Standard;        Enable Auto-Dial; Auto-Dial Begin Time; Auto-Dial End Time; Dial        Sunday . . . Saturday,    -   Document options: MaxVendor Payment; Packet Termination;        Document Length; Stub format; SN Check; Print Courtesy Amount;        Print Void Over; SN Sequencing; Sequence Check Digit,    -   Void Authority options: Jam Auto Void,    -   Special Function options: Document Print Fmt; Comm Report Fmt;        Store Number; Chain Number; Dial out. Digits,    -   Security Value options: Recheck items; Recheck Amount,    -   Host Comm Setup options: User ID.

In one embodiment, the process for printing a money order is as follows:

-   -   read the bar code,    -   verify it is the next expected in sequence,    -   print the money order, receipt, and stub,    -   print a machine readable mark/bar code,    -   verify the mark is readable (verifies ink is on the paper),    -   move the next money order into position, and    -   verify that the sequence number on the next money order is the        next expected number (verifies paper has moved).

If the bar code cannot be read, the machine will prompt the agent, printa void money order, and ask the agent for the serial number on thevoided document. The machine will then proceed in “softfail” mode,printing without verifying as long as the printer door remains closedand the power remains on.

If the serial number (either read or entered) is not the next expectednumber but has advanced by less than 10 numbers, the machine mayautomatically log the missing documents as void.

If the ink test fails, the machine will ask the agent if the document isreadable and log it as void if it is not readable.

When daily closing is effectuated, a Daily Summary report is scheduledto be printed as soon as a printer is available. Also, a closingcommunication is scheduled to be sent to the system as soon as the phoneis available. A daily closing may only be performed once per calendarday. Any sales after closing go onto the next day's sales. Accumulatorsfor daily limits are also reset at this time.

Daily closing may also be done manually by running the Daily SummaryReport (if Op. Daily to Close is true). If it has not been performedmanually by the auto close time (Auto Dial Begin Time) it will beperformed automatically. If, when a machine is switched on, it detectsthe auto close time has passed, a close will be performed as if it werethat previous day.

The machine will have the ability to store information for at least2,500 documents.

In this embodiment, there are at least two daily security limits:maximum number of items, or transactions, (MaxItems) per day and maximumtotal cash value of transactions (MaxAmount) per day. The machine willnot interrupt a current purchaser; that is, if an agent is below allsecurity limits before the start of that purchaser's transaction andthat transaction causes the agent to pass a limit, the currenttransaction will be completed and then the machine will sell no moreuntil it has communicated by phone with the central, or remote, systemand received authorization to proceed.

Voided documents count toward the daily limit.

The security limit MaxDays Without Poll is enforced at closing.

Printing of a stub can be turned on or off. The stub format is fixed,but it includes a string which is sent from the system and that stringcan be set by the system any time it is connected by phone (or othermeans of communication mentioned above).

In alternative embodiments, the machine according to the presentinvention is capable of operating according to, and in compliance with,security rules and regulations that may be set either by the centraladministrator (e.g., the money order company) and/or by the local orFederal government. As will be described below, in such embodiments, themachine is operated, and transactions are processed pursuant to a set ofconfigurable security limits, parameters, and/or exclusions. These mayinclude, for example, limits on the transaction amount, on the amount ofmultiple transactions, and on the amount of structured transactions.

Additional security measures that may be implemented include checking ofthe names (and/or other identifying information) of purchasers and/orbeneficiaries against various lists of restricted customers. Such listsmay be generated by the central administrator (e.g., an internal list ofblocked customers) or the government (such as, e.g., one generated ormandated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control), and may be maintainedat the central location or, alternatively, may be resident locally oneach machine, where they are updated periodically by instructions sentfrom the central location.

When such lists are used, there may also exist lists of exceptions.Thus, for example, there may be a list of persons (including entities)that have been cleared by the government and, as such, have beencertified by the government as not being the person listed on the Officeof Foreign Assets Control list. In addition, where an agent is thepurchaser, and one of the agent's vendors is the beneficiary, a list ofpre-approved vendors may be stored in each machine (such that the listis specific to the particular agent's retail location where that machineis located) such that less restrictive security rules may be applied.For example, creating $5,000 worth of money orders to a certainbeneficiary may not trigger the security measures that dispensing $5,000worth of documents would normally trigger. These details are usuallycontractually agreed-to between the money order company and the sellingagent. In such situations, once the agent indicates that the transactionis a “vendor” transaction, then the machine presents a list of vendorsfrom which the beneficiary must be chosen.

Thus, in embodiments of the invention, the machine can store locally alist of rules for dispensing documents. These may include, for example:stop the machine once a certain face value limit has been reached or ifa transmission fails to occur; stop the machine from completing thecurrent transaction; require the operator to gather additionaldocumentation from the customer (e.g., photocopy of ID or driver'slicense); require the operator to enter the purchaser's data into themachine (e.g., name, phone, ID numbers, etc.); compare purchaseridentification information to internal lists and, depending on whether amatch exists, decide to approve/cancel the current transaction; andforce certain information to be printed on the document being sold.

As part of the operations process in this embodiment, the followinginformation may be periodically transferred from the central location tothe machine (either automatically, or upon command): Configuration—Allconfiguration parameters that control how the machine functions; defaultand alternate security rules; clearance to continue dispensingdocuments; security rules—Limits on the number of documents that themachine can print and/or the total combined face value that can beprinted per unit time (e.g., hour, day, month, etc.) on the machine;lists of customers that are restricted, either by the company using themachine or a government entity, from doing business (e.g., as describedabove); and lists of pre-entered beneficiaries and any applicablealternate security rules.

Similarly, the following information may be transferred periodically(either by schedule or upon command) from each machine to the centrallocation: Information about dispensed documents; information aboutsecurity violations/inquiries (e.g., which transactions were cancelledbecause of a name match, etc.); and changes in local machineconfiguration.

With the above in mind, FIGS. 12-14 present, respectively, illustrativeflowcharts of the process of printing a financial document, processingand dispensing a financial document, and communicating between a machineand the central location. It is noted again that, for ease of referenceand illustration, a money order has been used as a specific type offinancial document in the aforementioned flowcharts. In addition, as wasmentioned previously, the machine may be connected to a remote device ora POS system. When this is the case, a statement in the flowchartsindicating that “the user enters” may, in operation, involve thetransmittal of instructions by the user through one of the ports of themachine. Thus, if the description provides that the “user entersdocument amount,” the machine may actually be receiving the documentamount from the connected external device, POS, etc.

Thus, with reference to FIG. 12, the process of printing a document mayentail the following steps:

-   -   401. Begin the print process;    -   402. The machine may have a barcode reader built in. If the        machine detects this is the case, then it proceeds to verify        correct function through methods using the barcode reader as        described previously;    -   403. If a barcode reader is not built into the machine, then the        machine tests for the presence of a built-in MICR reader. If a        MICR reader is detected, then the machine proceeds to verify        document sequencing by using the MICR reader. If a MICR reader        is not detected at this point, then the machine has neither type        of reader installed and/or the reader(s) is/are turned off. If        this is the case, then no document sequencing verification is        performed, and the printing process proceeds as though the        documents are in sequence;    -   404. The MICR information is read off the document at this step;    -   405. The machine can be configured to print the encoded face        value of the document as part of the bar code. This step checks        to see if the setting is enabled;    -   406. The document face value should not be encoded as part of        the printed barcode in the document, such that only the serial        number of the document is encoded;    -   407. The machine is configured to encode the face value of the        document as part of the barcode, so do so and print it;    -   408. Try to read the barcode that just printed;    -   409. If the barcode cannot be read, cancel the transaction;    -   410. Read the pre-printed barcode on the document (which has the        document serial number encoded in it);    -   411. Is the document serial number not what was expected (is it        out of sequence)?;    -   412. Recover from the out of sequence condition by voiding all        skipped documents, recording this fact in long-term memory, and        adjusting the internal counters so the system regains integrity.        A message is displayed to the operator, e.g., through one of the        displays 26, 326, 327, through a POS, etc. to inform the        operator of the events;    -   413. Is the document being printed a vendor payment?;    -   414. If this is a retail document (i.e., one that is not a        vendor document, and that the agent is selling to a purchaser        for the benefit of a non-vendor payee) was the operator required        to enter additional information about the buyer or payee during        amount/data entry (see FIGS. 13A and 13B)?;    -   415. Print the document with the buyer and payee names. Since        this document is a vendor payment, the buyer name is the retail        location name, and the payee name is the vendor name;    -   416. Since this is a document for which additional data entry        was required, print the document with the buyer and payee names;    -   417. Since this document is a retail document for which no        additional data entry was required, print the document with        blank buyer and payee fields;    -   418. The document is done printing, and the document is advanced        to the tear-out position;    -   419. Is there another document to print as part of this        transaction?;    -   420. The printing of documents is finished, and so the print        operation is deemed a success.

Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 13A-13B, the processing and dispensing of adocument may entail the following steps:

-   -   501. At the beginning of the transaction, the machine is at the        “Enter passcode” prompt, which means the machine is ready for        user interaction. If the machine is connected to a POS system,        then the machine communication state is at the “ready” state,        which means the machine is waiting for a transaction to be        initiated;    -   502. If the current transaction is a vendor payment, it is        initiated by pressing the “Vendor Payment” key. If the machine        is connected to a POS system, then the vendor payment is        initiated by sending the “vendor payment” instruction to the        machine;    -   503. User/operator enters the amount of the vendor payment;    -   504. Check for a valid amount. Vendor payments may have a        maximum document amount limit that is different from that of        retail documents;    -   505. Vendor payments have a finite, pre-approved list of vendors        as beneficiaries. In this step the user selects the vendor to        pay from that list. An arbitrary name cannot be entered;    -   506. If the user entered an invalid/illegal vendor pay amount,        the error is displayed in this step;    -   507. If there was no error up to this point, the amount and        vendor name are stored in temporary memory;    -   508. If user presses the print key at this point, then the user        is indicating that all of the documents in this transaction have        been entered, and that the machine should dispense the documents        entered so far;    -   509. In order to dispense a retail document (at a retail        location), the purchaser first walks into the location and        expresses his wish to buy a document;    -   510. User enters the amount of the document to be dispensed;    -   511. The amount is checked against the configured maximum value;    -   512. If amount in step 511 is not valid, then an error about the        illegal amount is displayed and the user prompted to re-enter        the amount;    -   513. The document amount is added to the transaction running        total and stored in short-term memory;    -   514. If the user presses the “print” key, then the user is        indicating that there are no more document amounts to be entered        and, as such, the user is requesting that the documents entered        so far be printed;    -   515. Depending on the machine's configured security parameters,        further information regarding this transaction may be required        (to be entered into the machine). This information may include        one or more of the following: the purchaser's and/or the        beneficiary's full name, complete address, date of birth, social        security number, telephone number, occupation, a first type of        ID (e.g., a Driver's license, a passport, an alien registration        card, a native country ID card, etc.), including the ID number        and issuer, a second type of ID, including number and issuer,        and the (purchaser's) source of funds—if no additional        transaction information is required, then the process continues        at step 531 (designated as node “A” in FIG. 13B);    -   516. If additional transaction is required, then the user enters        the additional information, requesting the information from the        buyer;    -   517. The information entered is checked against the Office of        Foreign Assets Control list;    -   518. If the customer (i.e., either the buyer or the beneficiary)        is in the Office of Foreign Assets Control list, then the Office        of Foreign Assets Control's exception list is checked. As        mentioned previously, this is a list of persons (including        entities) that have been cleared by the government and, as such,        have been certified by the government as not being the person        listed on the Office of Foreign Assets Control list;    -   519. The machine can be configured on how to respond when a        match has been found. Thus, for example, the machine can block        the transaction, or it may allow the transaction to finish,        while recording information about the match;    -   520. An error message is displayed about the customer being in        the blocked list (see step 522) or the Office of Foreign Assets        Control list;    -   521. The transaction is terminated because of a match;    -   522. Check for a match of either the buyer or payee in the        blocked persons list;    -   523. Check security configuration to see if a faxed ID image to        the central location (e.g., headquarters) is required for this        transaction. The information needed for this decision is the        security configuration and the transaction data gathered up to        this point;    -   524. If the user is required to fax ID images to the central        location, the user does so at this point;    -   525. There are configurable security parameters that are checked        at this point in the transaction process because violations of        such parameters may potentially prevent documents from being        dispensed. Examples of such security rules/parameters may        include: the maximum face value amount per transaction, the        maximum amount of vendor payments dispensed in a single        transaction or as a combined amount per time period (e.g.,        daily, hourly, etc.), etc. If security limits are not violated        at this point, then the process continues at step 531        (designated as node “A” in FIG. 13B). If, on the other hand,        such a violation exists, then the process continues at step 526        (designated as node “B” in FIG. 13B);    -   526. Depending on the security violation that occurred, the        machine may need to be locked, and the decision as to whether        such action should be taken will be made based on predetermined        parameters relating to the specific security violation;    -   527. If the decision from step 526 is that the machine should        not be locked, then an error message is displayed about the        aborted transaction;    -   528. The transaction is terminated because of the security        violation;    -   529. If, on the other hand, the decision from step 526 is that        the machine should be locked, then the security lock is set on        the machine so that it ceases to dispense documents;    -   530. The transaction is terminated because of the error or the        newly-imposed security lock;    -   531. Documents are printed (e.g., according to the process of        the flowchart shown in FIG. 12);    -   532. The results of the document print process are checked;    -   533. Documents that were misprinted are noted, and voided out,        data regarding these documents is stored in permanent memory;    -   534. The transaction details are stored in the permanent memory;    -   535. Money and documents exchange hands at this point, such that        the transaction may be considered to be legally “finished”;    -   536. The transaction is now finished;    -   537. After this transaction have any security rules been        violated? Did this transaction cause any security limits/rules        to trigger? Some of the security rules that can be checked at        this point include: Maximum daily transaction count, maximum        allowed combined face value dispensed within a certain amount of        time (e.g., $5,000 within an hour), maximum amount dispensed per        operator, etc.;    -   538. If no security rules were violated, then machine continues        to operate normally;    -   539. If, on the other hand, a security rule was violated, then a        security lock is set on the machine, preventing future        transactions from taking place until headquarters clears the        security lock.

As has been mentioned previously, in order to carry out step 539, amongothers, the machine and the central location conduct communications thatmay be either automatically and/or manually initiated. To this end, FIG.14 provides a flowchart for such communication process, involving thefollowing steps:

-   -   601. Communications are started when triggered by the machine        operator, or automatically by schedule, or when there has been a        security violation;    -   602. The machine dials the primary phone number;    -   603. A determination is made as to whether the connection was        successfully made;    -   604. If connection was unsuccessful, the configured secondary        phone number is dialed;    -   605. A determination is made as to whether the connection was        successfully made;    -   606. Has the maximum number of dial re-tries been reached? 607.        If the maximum number of re-tries has been reached, then the        dialing process is aborted and recorded as a failed attempt to        communicate;    -   608. Wait a configurable length of time before attempting to        connect again;    -   609. If connection was successful, then the machine starts        communicating with headquarters. At this point the machine        transmits its identity and security information;    -   610. Determine whether the identity information was valid;    -   611. If the initial phase of communications failed, then        disconnect and deem the communications attempt a failure;    -   612. Determine whether a newer version of the machine firmware        exists at headquarters;    -   613. If a newer version of the firmware is available, it is        downloaded at this point;    -   614. Disconnect from headquarters so that the new firmware can        be installed;    -   615. Install the new firmware;    -   616. Another communications session is scheduled for after the        firmware update in order to ensure that there is a complete        communications session with headquarters (given that the        previous “session” was interrupted by a firmware update);    -   617. The machine is reset so that the new firmware will be        activated. Once the machine is done initializing, it will        restart the communications process;    -   618. The machine time and date are synchronized with        headquarters, accounting for any time zone differences;    -   619. A determination is made by the machine as to sale dates for        which that has been closed, but not yet transmitted. Any such        data that is found is transmitted to headquarters;    -   620. Data transmitted successfully to headquarters is marked as        such by the machine so that it will not be re-transmitted        automatically at a later date;    -   621. If there are pending machine unlock instructions from        headquarters for this machine, they are downloaded at this time.        If the downloaded instructions match the machine lock status,        then the machine is unlocked and is operational again after this        step;    -   622. If there are pending requests for data re-transmittal, they        are serviced at this step;    -   623. Determine whether the machine has been flagged for        reconfiguration;    -   624. If the machine has been flagged for reconfiguration, then        all of the machine settings are downloaded by the machine at        this point;    -   625. Determine whether there are any pending changes to the        names lists (e.g., Office of Foreign Assets Control list, list        of exceptions thereto, and block list);    -   626. Any names lists changes are downloaded and applied;    -   627. Communications session is complete and is deemed a success.

While there has been provided a detailed description of the operationsinvolved in printing a money order, one significant advantage of themachine according to invention is that it can be easily programmed todispense other types of documents. For example, by simple softwaremodifications and the provision of a different type of document form,the machine can be configured to handle charge and debit transactions.For example, a credit, debit, or smart card may be inserted into reader30 and the amount of a transaction can be keyed into unit 2. Then,optionally, keypad 24/keyboard 325 can be employed to dial out to anauthorizing location, or such dialing out can be controlledautomatically by the program. When authorization to accept the chargehas been received via the telephone connection, a credit cardtransaction receipt can then be printed out by printer unit 50.

Similarly, bill payments can be made, by use of a credit, debit, orsmart card, or by transferring cash to an agent, who then uses keypad24/keyboard 325 to input identification of the payee, the amount paidand the phone number of the financial institution to which payment is tobe transferred. Here again, printer unit 50 is used to print out areceipt.

In addition, a machine according to the invention can be used to effectwire transfers or to generate phone cards, ID cards, gift certificates,or travelers checks. Other types of financial transactions will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art.

According to a further feature of the invention, if the machine shouldbe disconnected from its power source and subsequently reconnected, thecontrol system can be configured to report the disconnection of themachine to the remote supervisory location and to prevent furthertransactions until a new authorization has been received from the remotesupervisory location.

While the description above refers to particular embodiments of thepresent invention, it will be understood that many modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claimsare intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the truescope and spirit of the present invention.

The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered inall respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of theinvention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than theforegoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embracedtherein.

1. A machine for preparing and dispensing documents relating tofinancial transactions, said machine comprising: (a) a stand-alone,self-contained document dispenser having a housing; (b) a manuallyoperable input unit for input of data and operating commands, said inputunit being external to and coupled through said dispenser housing; (c) adocument printer unit for printing readable information, including amonetary value, on documents based on data inputted at said input unit,wherein said document printer unit is contained entirely within saiddispenser housing and comprises: a printer having a print headconfigured to move back and forth along a guiding rod in a scanning paththat is transverse to the direction of advancement of the documents; andan optical reader for reading barcode information on said documents,said optical reader being mounted so as to be aligned with the printhead and move along said rod with the print head, wherein the print headprints a barcode on each said document as it moves in one direction and,as it returns along said rod in the opposite direction, the opticalreader reads the barcode just printed by the print head, therebyverifying proper functioning of the printer unit without advancing thedocument; (d) an internal control unit contained entirely within saiddispenser housing and directly electrically coupled to said input unitand said printer unit for controlling operation of said printer unit inresponse to data and commands inputted at said input unit, wherein thecontrol unit comprises a memory means for receiving and storing datareceived from said input unit and representing at least the monetaryvalue of each document; and (e) a communication interface for conductingcommunications with an off-site central location remote from saiddispenser and operative to transmit the data stored in said memory meansto said central location, wherein the control unit is operative toreceive authorization instructions from the central location via saidinterface.
 2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein said input unitis an alphanumeric keyboard with a full set of alpha-character keys anda separate full set of Arabic numeral keys.
 3. The machine according toclaim 2, said keyboard further including a display.
 4. The machineaccording to claim 2, wherein said keyboard is a standard personalcomputer keyboard and is directly electrically connected to the controlunit.
 5. The machine according to claim 2, further including a keypadthat is directly electrically connected to the control unit.
 6. Themachine according to claim 1, wherein the data stored in said memorymeans further includes the cumulative monetary value of a succession ofdocuments.
 7. The machine according to claim 6, wherein said controlunit is operative to block dispensing of printed documents when saidcumulative monetary value exceeds a predetermined value and anauthorization instruction to dispense further printed documents has notbeen received from the central location.
 8. The machine according toclaim 1, wherein each of the documents is a preprinted form providedwith information uniquely identifying that document.
 9. The machineaccording to claim 8, wherein the information uniquely identifying eachdocument is in the form of a bar code.
 10. The machine according toclaim 1, further including a time keeping device, wherein the controlunit is operative under control of said time keeping device to blockdispensing of printed documents when no transmission of the data storedin said memory means to the central location has occurred for a firstpredetermined period of time or when reception of an authorizationinstruction from the central location has not occurred for a secondpredetermined period of time.
 11. The machine according to claim 10,wherein each of said first predetermined period of time and secondpredetermined period of time is approximately equal to 24 hours.
 12. Themachine according to claim 1, wherein the document printer unit furtherincludes a document storage receptacle for holding the documents priorto being printed and a feed mechanism for feeding the documents insuccession from said receptacle to said printer and for dispensing thedocuments upon completion.
 13. The machine according to claim 1, whereinthe internal control unit further includes a central processing unitcontaining a microprocessor operable in response to program instructionsand an input/output means connected for receiving the data and operatingcommands inputted at said input unit and for supplying data and controlsignals to said printer unit, and wherein the memory means furtherstores said program instructions for the microprocessor.
 14. The machineaccording to claim 1, further including at least one of a serialinterface, a parallel interface, a PS/2 interface, an Ethernetinterface, and a USB interface for direct electrical connection to oneor more external devices.
 15. The machine according to claim 14, furtherincluding an external printing device connected through said parallelinterface.
 16. The machine according to claim 15, wherein the externalprinting device is configured to print at least one of a receipt and aperiodic report.
 17. The machine according to claim 15, wherein theexternal printing device is at least one member selected from the groupconsisting of a dot matrix printer, laser printer, inkjet printer, andthermal printer.
 18. The machine according to claim 14, furtherincluding a mouse connected through said PS/2 interface.
 19. The machineaccording to claim 14, further including at least one of an externaloptical scanner, an external Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR)scanner, an external printing device, an external communications device,and a cash register connected through said USB interface.
 20. Themachine according to claim 14, further including at least one of anexternal optical scanner, an external MICR scanner, an external printingdevice, an external communications device, a cash register, and a Pointof Sale (POS) device connected through said serial interface.
 21. Themachine according to claim 1, wherein said communications with theoff-site central location are conducted at predetermined, regularintervals.
 22. The machine according to claim 21, wherein each saidinterval is about 24 hours.
 23. The machine according to claim 21,wherein said communications are initiated at the same time every day.24. The machine according to claim 1, wherein said communications withthe off-site central location are initiated manually on an as-neededbasis.
 25. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the control unit isoperative to periodically receive from said central location at leastone member selected from the group consisting of machine configurationparameters, default and alternate security rules, authorization tocontinue dispensing documents, a list of restricted purchasers, a listof exceptions to said list of restricted purchasers, and a list ofrestricted beneficiaries.
 26. The machine according to claim 25, whereinsaid security rules include at least one of a predetermined limit on thenumber of documents that can be dispensed and a predetermined combinedface value of dispensed documents in a given period of time.
 27. Themachine according to claim 25, wherein at least one of said list ofrestricted purchasers, list of exceptions, and list of restrictedbeneficiaries is an Office of Foreign Assets Control list.
 28. Themachine according to claim 25, wherein at least one of said list ofrestricted purchasers and list of restricted beneficiaries is created bya central administrator.
 29. The machine according to claim 1, whereinthe control unit is operative to periodically transmit to said centrallocation at least one member selected from the group consisting ofinformation about dispensed documents, information about securityviolations, information about interrupted or cancelled transactions, andchanges in local machine configuration.
 30. The machine according toclaim 1, wherein the printer unit further includes a MICR reader. 31.The machine according to claim 30, wherein the MICR reader is mounted soas to be aligned with said print head and optical reader.
 32. Themachine according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured tolocally store a set of rules for dispensing documents.
 33. The machineaccording to claim 32, wherein said set of rules includes a list ofpre-approved beneficiaries of said documents.
 34. The machine accordingto claim 33, wherein said set of rules includes both a default set ofsecurity limits and an alternate set of security limits, said alternateset being applicable to preparation and dispensing of documents for saidapproved beneficiaries.
 35. A machine for preparing and dispensingdocuments relating to financial transactions, said machine comprising:(a) a stand-alone, self-contained document dispenser having a housing;(b) a manually operable input unit for input of data and operatingcommands, said input unit being external to and coupled through saiddispenser housing; (c) a document printer unit for printing readableinformation, including a monetary value, on documents based on datainputted at said input unit, wherein said document printer unit iscontained entirely within said dispenser housing and comprises: aprinter having a print head configured to move back and forth along aguiding rod in a scanning path that is transverse to the direction ofadvancement of the documents; and an Magnetic Ink Character Recognition(MICR) reader for reading information on said documents, said MICRreader being mounted so as to move along said guiding rod; (d) aninternal control unit contained entirely within said dispenser housingand directly electrically coupled to said input unit and said printerunit for controlling operation of said printer unit in response to dataand commands inputted at said input unit, wherein the control unitcomprises a memory means for receiving and storing data received fromsaid input unit and representing at least the monetary value of eachdocument; and (e) a communication interface for conductingcommunications with an off-site central location remote from saiddispenser and operative to transmit the data stored in said memory meansto said central location, wherein the control unit is operative toreceive authorization instructions from the central location via saidinterface.
 36. The machine according to claim 35, wherein said inputunit is an alphanumeric keyboard with a full set of alpha-character keysand a separate full set of Arabic numeral keys.
 37. The machineaccording to claim 36, said keyboard further including a display. 38.The machine according to claim 36, wherein said keyboard is a standardpersonal computer keyboard and is directly electrically connected to thecontrol unit.
 39. The machine according to claim 36, further including akeypad that is directly electrically connected to the control unit. 40.The machine according to claim 35, wherein each of the documents is apreprinted form provided with information uniquely identifying thatdocument.
 41. The machine according to claim 35, further including atleast one of a serial interface, a parallel interface, a PS/2 interface,an Ethernet interface, and a USB interface for direct electricalconnection to one or more external devices.
 42. The machine according toclaim 35, further including at least one of an external optical scanner,an external MICR scanner, an external printing device, an externalcommunications device, a cash register, and a Point of Sale (POS) devicedirectly electrically connected through a serial or a USB interface. 43.The machine according to claim 35, wherein the control unit is operativeto periodically receive from said central location at least one memberselected from the group consisting of machine configuration parameters,default and alternate security rules, authorization to continuedispensing documents, a list of restricted purchasers, a list ofexceptions to said list of restricted purchasers, and a list ofrestricted beneficiaries.
 44. The machine according to claim 43, whereinat least one of said list of restricted purchasers, list of exceptions,and list of restricted beneficiaries is an Office of Foreign AssetsControl list.
 45. The machine according to claim 35, wherein the printerunit further includes an optical reader.
 46. The machine according toclaim 45, said optical reader being mounted so as to be aligned with theprint head and move along said rod with the print head.
 47. The machineaccording to claim 46, wherein the print head prints a barcode on eachsaid document as it moves in one direction and, as it returns along saidrod in the opposite direction, the optical reader reads the barcode justprinted by the print head, thereby verifying proper functioning of theprinter unit without advancing the document
 48. The machine according toclaim 35, wherein the control unit is operative to periodically transmitto said central location at least one member selected from the groupconsisting of information about dispensed documents, information aboutsecurity violations, information about interrupted or cancelledtransactions, and changes in local machine configuration.
 49. Themachine according to claim 35, wherein the control unit is configured tolocally store a set of rules for dispensing documents, including a listof pre-approved beneficiaries of said documents.
 50. A method forpreparing and dispensing documents relating to financial transactions,said method comprising: (a) providing a machine comprising astand-alone, self-contained document dispenser, said dispenser includinga printer and an internal control unit having a memory means forreceiving and storing data relating to each said transaction; (b)obtaining identification information relating to at least one of apurchaser and a beneficiary of each document to be dispensed; (c)accessing at least one of a list of restricted purchasers and restrictedbeneficiaries to determine whether there is a first type of matchbetween the purchaser's identification information and the list ofrestricted purchasers or a second type of match between thebeneficiary's identification information and the list of restrictedbeneficiaries; (d) when at least one of said matches is found, recordingin said memory means information about the at least one match that hasbeen found; and (e) determining whether to dispense said document basedon a predetermined set of parameters.
 51. The method according to claim50, wherein said parameters include the face value of said document, theoverall transaction amount, and the type of match that is found.
 52. Themethod according to claim 50, wherein the machine is configured suchthat, in step (e), dispensing of the document is blocked when at leastone of said parameters is satisfied.
 53. The method according to claim50, wherein said machine further comprises an external,manually-operable input unit that is directly electrically connected tothe internal control unit and, in step (b), the identificationinformation relating to said at least one of a purchaser and abeneficiary is gathered by an operator of said machine and inputtedthrough said input unit.
 54. The method according to claim 53, whereinsaid input unit is an alphanumeric keyboard with a full set ofalpha-character keys and a separate full set of Arabic numeral keys. 55.The method according to claim 54, wherein the keyboard includes adisplay.
 56. The method according to claim 55, further includingdisplaying an error message on said display when at least one of saidmatches is found.
 57. The method according to claim 50, wherein, in step(c), at least one of said lists is an Office of Foreign Assets Controllist.
 58. The method according to claim 50, wherein said lists arestored in said control unit such that steps (b)-(e) are automaticallyperformed by said control unit once said identification information hasbeen received.
 59. The method according to claim 50, said machinefurther including a communication interface for conductingcommunications with an off-site central location remote from saiddispenser, wherein the lists are maintained at said central location,and step (c) is performed by transmitting the identification informationto the central location in real time.
 60. The method according to claim59, wherein the control unit is operative to receive instructions fromthe central location via said interface, step (e) is performed at saidcentral location, and the control unit receives either an authorizationto complete, or an instruction to block, the transaction.
 61. The methodaccording to claim 50, wherein the machine further includes an externalreader and, in step (b), the identification information relating to thepurchaser is obtained by processing an identification document of thepurchaser's through said reader.
 62. The method according to claim 61,wherein the identification document is a member selected from the groupconsisting of an identification card, a driver's license, a passport, asocial security card, an alien registration document, and a nativecountry identification document.
 63. The method according to claim 50,further including determining, after a match of the first type has beenfound, and prior to step (e), whether there is a third type of matchbetween the purchaser's identification information and a list ofexceptions to said list of restricted purchasers.
 64. The methodaccording to claim 63, further including determining, after a match ofthe third type is found, and prior to step (e), whether there is afourth type of match between the purchaser's or beneficiary'sidentification information and an auxiliary list of restrictedpersons/entities.
 65. The method according to claim 50, furtherincluding obtaining a physical image of an identification document ofthe purchaser's, said identification document being a member selectedfrom the group consisting of an identification card, a driver's license,a passport, a social security card, an alien registration document, anda native country identification document.